Gibson in the points after season opening V8 SuperTourer race

Auckland based John McIntyre Racing driver Mark Gibson has scored a solid haul of points following today's opening race for the 2014 V8 SuperTourer season, being held at Cromwell's Highlands Motorsport Park.

The first time Gibson has raced the #47 Blackwoods Protector FG Falcon resulted in a sixth placed finish, netting 45 points toward the coveted drivers' title. The 21-year-old crossed the finish line having survived multiple instances of accident attrition during the afternoon 12-lap race.

Also the first time the seven-round V8 SuperTourer category has raced at the recently established venue, Gibson says he's thrilled with the result given the progress he's still to achieve.

"A good points haul for us. To get from 11th to sixth and around the carnage left us with a clean car I could drive to the finish.

"John got on the radio warning me what was about to happen and I was able to brakes hard enough to avoid what lay ahead – it was a lot like the movie 'Days of Thunder' really."

In more temperate conditions compared to the searing summer sun of Friday, light winds and high cloud are expected to give way to rain for Sunday's conclusion to the weekend. Featuring two races, one of 12 laps and one of 20 laps Gibson says he has plenty more to come from his driving performance.